Multimodal system for breast imaging

Abstract

A multimodal system for breast imaging includes an x-ray source, and an x-ray detector configured to detect x-rays from the x-ray source after passing through a breast. The system includes an x-ray detector translation system operatively connected to the x-ray detector so as to be able to translate the x-ray detector from a first displacement from the breast to a second displacement at least one of immediately adjacent to or in contact with the breast. The system includes an x-ray image processor configured to: receive a CT data set from the x-ray detector, the CT data set being detected by the x-ray detector at the first displacement; compute a CT image of the breast; receive a mammography data set from the x-ray detector, the mammography data set being detected by the x-ray detector at the second displacement; and compute a mammography image of the breast.

1 . A multimodal system for breast imaging, comprising:
 an x-ray source;   an x-ray detector configured to detect x-rays from said x-ray source after passing through at least a portion of a breast;   an x-ray detector translation system operatively connected to said x-ray detector so as to be able to translate said x-ray detector from a first displacement from said breast to a second displacement at least one of immediately adjacent to or in contact with said breast; and   an x-ray image processor configured to communicate with said x-ray detector so as to:
 receive a computed tomography (CT) data set from said x-ray detector, said CT data set being detected by said x-ray detector at said first displacement; 
 compute a CT image of said breast based on said CT data set; 
 receive a mammography data set from said x-ray detector, said mammography data set being detected by said x-ray detector at said second displacement; and 
 compute a mammography image of said breast based on said mammography data set. 
   
     
     
         2 .- 21 . (canceled)